Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1887-08-27
w REASONS.

Two things division means that should
be considered in connection with. the
many advantages which would accrue
to Dakota if separated into two states:
First, there would be greater interest
in legislative matters. The Legislatures
would be more wieldy, there would be
less ground to cover, and consequently
our legislators would be- held to closer
account for their actions, or their non-
action. Our legislatures are lacking in
the essentials of local responsibility.
A combination from the extreme south,
intent upon a measure whose effects
and influences are totally foreign to the
needs and necessities Of the people Of
the extreme north, may obstruct legis-
lation which is Of vital interest to other
sections. This has been too often the
case in the past. The measure which
affects the welfare of the mining region
of the Black Hills is not understood or
appreciated by the stockmen and wheat
raisers of the north. A bill which is
VITAL to the interest of the corn planters
of extreme South Dakota will receive
but little consideration from those who
represent constituencies wholly engaged
in wheat culture and the raising of cat
tie. And betweenth the multitude of bills
(which affect peculiar localities and are
of no interest to others there is delay
and inaction. Sectional quarrels arise
and factional fights ensue. The session
is passed and but little is accomplished.
The diversity of interest and the per.
sonal strife have left the law-making
body in a snarl. An imported governor,
whose single purpose is to make politi-
cal capital for his party in New York or
some other eastern state, pockets mer.
%itorious measures or signs vicious acts
Is suits his purpose. He is practically
a nonresident, with u brief lease of au-
thority over u people who are total
strangers to him. He is accountable
only to the president and not to the PEG.
pie. The pulling and hauling among
legislators last winter and the absence
of an executive who knew and could
point out the wants Of a vast territory
left the legislature itself at sea in regard
to the things which had been absolutely
accomplished. The session laws were
published eight to ten months after the
legislature adjourned, and it has already
been discovered that two important
measures printed in the session books
did:not become laws at all.
The second important reason why
Dakota should be divided and two new
states eventually created is that we
would have representation in congress
equal at least to those little patches Of
states at the east whose senators and
representatives have been and are now
ruling Dakota with an iron hand; whose
alleged Statesmen look upon Dakota as
a land of exile for threadbare politicians
and inf1ict us with the offscourings oi
the earth; whose demagogs and cranke
and partizan leaders experiment upor
us with their "policies" and class III
with thieves, scoundrels and boodlers.
They know nothing of our wants; they
care less for the misery that their politi'
cal diabolisms infict.
1t is time Dakota did something fol
itself. We have been the tail OF the
dog too long. We are tired and weary
Of being wagged that the other end O
tho animal NOV ho od;EoI